The Vatican Bank closed 2025 with a net profit of 51 million euros ($A82.7m), an increase of 55.5 per cent over the 32.8 million euros ($53.2m) recorded the previous year. Source: National Catholic Register
The Institute for the Works of Religion, founded by Pope Pius XII in 1942 and staffed by about 100 employees, consolidated a trend of sustained growth.
According to the annual accounts report published on Monday, the result was mainly due to improved operating performance amid favourable market conditions and active, disciplined portfolio management.
Net banking income rose to 66.3 million euros ($107.4m), compared with 51.5 million euros ($83.4m) in 2024, while net interest income grew to 32.3 million euros ($52.3m). Net commission income remained stable at about 26 million euros ($42.1m).
The stronger results made it possible to approve a dividend of 24.3 million euros ($39.4m) for the Holy Father, 76.1 per cent more than the previous year, in keeping with the institute’s mission to support religious and charitable works.
One of the most notable figures was the Tier 1 capital ratio, a key financial indicator that measures a bank’s financial strength and its ability to absorb losses while continuing to operate.
The report underscored the Vatican bank’s robust position, with a Tier 1 capital ratio of 71.9 per cent, reflecting an extraordinary level of solvency.
The figure means the bank covers 71.9 per cent of its risk-weighted assets — loans and investments — with the highest-quality core capital, such as ordinary shares, reserves, and retained earnings. This places the institution among the strongest in the world in terms of capitalisation and liquidity.
According to the results for the past fiscal year, the total volume of client assets managed by the IOR – including deposits, current accounts, managed assets, and securities held in custody – rose to 5.9 billion euros ($9.5 billion) at year-end, 200 million euros ($324m) more than the previous year.
The IOR emphasised that all of its financial activity is carried out in full coherence with the principles of Catholic social teaching.
All of its portfolio management strategies recorded positive returns in 2025, within an investment approach that promotes only options compatible with the Catholic faith.
FULL STORY
Vatican Bank’s Profit Jumps 55.5% Over Previous Year (By Victoria Cardiel, EWTN News via National Catholic Register)
